Former FIFA Referee and Video Assistant Referee (VAR) instructor Jerome Damon has explained why Young Africans’ goal was ruled out against Mamelodi Sundowns.
Stephane Aziz Ki appeared to have opened the scoring with a stunning effort that slammed underneath the cross bar before bouncing in what appeared to be behind the goal line of goalkeeper Ronwen Williams.
There was a mixed celebration as the Young Africans squad and technical team were seemingly unsure, prior to seeing the replays, before the decision was made by VAR without Mauritanian official Dahane Beida going to check the pitch side monitor.
“Without GLT (Goal line technology) it’s impossible for VAR to say goal or no goal – one can speculate either way but cannot be 100% sure,” Damon said about the decision.
“The question VAR asks: is onfield decision obviously wrong? With the evidence… not obviously wrong so [the] onfield decision stands – no goal.”
Yanga head coach Miguel Gamondi was left incensed by the decision after the game, saying ‘big teams like Sundowns don’t need the help of VAR’.
